Copper Knight romps to victory at Chester

Copper Knight showed blistering pace from the gate to win over Chester's five furlongs for a second time in the Sustainable Group (UK) Ltd Handicap.

Successful in the Lily Agnes Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago when trained by Hugo Palmer, the three-year-old looks a shrewd purchase at 5,000 guineas for the Tim Easterby yard.

David Allan had an armchair ride on the 7-1 shot, who pulled further away in the straight as he beat another former Palmer inmate, the Robert Cowell-trained Evergate, by two and a quarter lengths.

Allan said: "I think he was at full speed in less than half a stride - he absolutely pinged the start.

"It gave me a chance to sit on him for a good bit of time, but his turn of foot surprised me a bit as well.

"If you nick a length coming out of the stalls you can fill him up and save him for that turn of foot at the end.

"Obviously course form helps around here, which he's got. He's only a little compact horse, so it's an ideal track for him."